Walking Into Inspiration
Refreshing our spirit is essential. Weary, worn and sometimes worried about the cares of life we all need a moment of respite.
As a person with chronic fatigue and often accompanied by joint and muscle pain, I find it difficult to get out and fill my cup of inspiration in ways that I used to be able to do at the drop of a hat.
These days, sitting in my backyard garden - which is mainly just a blowsy froth of volunteer forget-me-nots and other delicate flowers along with overgrown weedy ground covers in or fallen autumn leaves amongst the bushes - offers a moment of respite. When possible I head out for a walk with one of my dogs along the local creek area where an abundance of marsh and song birds claim territory and raise their fragile young.
I love to settle into a landscape with my art supplies. Painting en plein air is a beautiful way to experience the world before my eyes. Often though I don’t have my supplies with me especially on a dog walk in the neighborhood. In those times I take lots of photos with my cell phone. Aren’t we so lucky these days to have such a wondrous tool at our whim? Even a not-great photo still offers atmosphere and enough details to dig in to creating a painting or even a sculpture.
Ink sketch in washes of gradient black of a beloved nearby landscape. This became the foundation for an oil painting that I haven’t yet finished! Oh how I love the simplicity and expression of ink washes! I feel them calling me even now. © Renée Fukumoto
On my artistic journey I’ve loved exploring a wide variety of media. Most recently delving into sculpting in metal clay and creating fine silver adornments has been a beautiful fascination.
“Look of Eagles” is a portrait of my own horse Remi, sculpted in fine silver metal clay, fired at 1650* to sinter the metal and become heirloom quality jewelry that will outlast me I’m sure! This piece has been ordered by others as gifts for their dear ones to celebrate their own love of horses.
I confess that I am struggling however. In fact my eyesight has become a limiting factor. Double vision (a remnant from a concussion some several years back), “floaters” in both eyes and deteriorating acuity have been interfering in both my enjoyment of the process and my ability to be productive. It is discouraging, I admit. It means I have to slow down my adventure in this medium. It doesn’t mean I stop creating though. Not by any means. A stream or river will make its own way if met with obstructions.
So, for a time at least, I’m going to alternate my focus between painting and sculpting. I began a small series of watercolors and oils a couple of years ago, before illness and other responsibilities altered my course. I am actually excited to begin journeying back into the paint studio. The media is less important than the physical act of painting and sketching. Though I will say I’m excited to soon receive my order of Nitram Water soluble charcoal paint! I have always loved charcoal and have used them in a painterly fashion for some of my favourite pieces. I’m so curious to see how using a liquid charcoal paint will be different and similar and so thrilled to explore more possibilities.
Below is one of my favourite recent pieces - a charcoal painting sketch of my own horse Remi who meets me with eager enthusiasm at the gate (I know its more for the treats in my pocket but still lol)
Charcoal painting of my own horse Remi. 30” x 40”. © Renee Fukumoto
One of my best selling art prints, “Head On”, is a charcoal sketch of my friend’s horse who loves to play and is so expressive! The original sketch is in her collection.
“Head On” Charcoal drawing, galloping horse, © Renée Fukumoto.
I hope you’ll join me for the journey.
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Cheers and thank you for your company in the Studio!
~ Renée